Embracing Change: How to Ace Your IELTS Speaking Test with a Personal Story

Describing a significant change in your life is a common topic in IELTS Speaking tests. This theme allows examiners to assess your ability to articulate personal experiences and reflect on their impact. Let’s explore how to effectively approach this topic and maximize your speaking score.

Describe a traditional dish you like to cook is another popular topic that tests your ability to describe cultural aspects, which can be related to changes in your life as well.

Part 1: Introduction and Interview

In this section, the examiner may ask questions like:

1. Do you like changes in your life?
2. How do you usually react to unexpected changes?
3. What’s a recent change you’ve experienced?

Let’s look at a sample answer for the first question:

Examiner: Do you like changes in your life?

Candidate (Band 6-7): Yes, I generally enjoy changes. They can be exciting and help me grow as a person. For example, I recently changed my job, and it’s been a positive experience so far.

Candidate (Band 8-9): Absolutely. I find changes to be invigorating and essential for personal growth. They often present new challenges and opportunities that push me out of my comfort zone. For instance, when I relocated to a new city last year, it was initially daunting, but it has broadened my horizons tremendously, both professionally and personally.

Part 2: Long Turn

Here’s a sample cue card for this topic:

Describe a change in your life that you embraced

You should say:
- What the change was
- When it happened
- How it affected your life
And explain why you embraced this change

Sample answer (Band 6-7):

The change I want to talk about is when I decided to study abroad for my master’s degree. This happened about three years ago when I was in my final year of undergraduate studies.

I chose to pursue my master’s in the UK, which was a big step for me as I had never lived away from home before. It affected my life in many ways. Firstly, I had to learn to be independent and manage everything on my own, from cooking to budgeting. Secondly, I was exposed to a new culture and education system, which was quite different from what I was used to.

I embraced this change because I saw it as an opportunity to grow both academically and personally. I knew that studying abroad would give me a chance to gain new perspectives and improve my English skills. It was challenging at first, but I’m glad I took this step as it has helped me become more confident and adaptable.

Sample answer (Band 8-9):

The transformative change I’d like to discuss is my decision to transition from a corporate career to entrepreneurship. This pivotal shift occurred approximately two years ago when I was at the peak of my career as a marketing executive.

The change profoundly impacted various aspects of my life. Professionally, it meant venturing into uncharted territory, where I had to wear multiple hats and learn new skills rapidly. Personally, it required a significant adjustment in my mindset, as I had to embrace uncertainty and become comfortable with taking calculated risks. Financially, it meant forgoing a stable income for the potential of long-term rewards.

I wholeheartedly embraced this change for several compelling reasons. Primarily, it aligned perfectly with my long-held aspiration of creating something of my own and making a tangible impact in my field. Additionally, I saw it as an opportunity to challenge myself and push beyond my perceived limitations. The prospect of continuous learning and personal growth was incredibly appealing to me.

Moreover, I believed that this change would allow me to achieve a better work-life balance and pursue projects that truly resonated with my values and passions. While the journey has been fraught with challenges, I’ve found it immensely rewarding. It has not only enhanced my problem-solving skills and resilience but also given me a profound sense of fulfillment and purpose.

Follow-up questions:

1. How did you prepare for this change?
2. Were there any unexpected challenges you faced?

Sample answers:

1. Band 6-7: I prepared by doing a lot of research about entrepreneurship and talking to people who had started their own businesses. I also saved some money to have a financial cushion.

   Band 8-9: My preparation was multifaceted. I meticulously researched market trends and potential business models, leveraging my marketing expertise. I also cultivated a network of mentors and fellow entrepreneurs to gain insights and support. Financially, I diligently built up savings and explored funding options to ensure a stable runway for my venture.

2. Band 6-7: Yes, there were some unexpected challenges. I found it difficult to manage my time effectively and maintain a work-life balance at first. It took some time to adjust to the new rhythm.

   Band 8-9: Indeed, I encountered several unforeseen challenges. The most significant was the psychological toll of being solely responsible for every decision. Additionally, the unpredictable nature of cash flow proved more stressful than anticipated. However, these challenges have been invaluable learning experiences, honing my resilience and adaptability.

Part 3: Two-way Discussion

Examiner: Do you think people generally find it easy to adapt to changes in their lives?

Candidate (Band 6-7): I think it depends on the person and the type of change. Some people are naturally more adaptable, while others find change difficult. Big changes like moving to a new country or changing careers can be challenging for most people.

Candidate (Band 8-9): I believe people’s ability to adapt to changes is highly variable and depends on numerous factors. Inherent personality traits, such as openness to experience and resilience, play a crucial role. Additionally, the nature and magnitude of the change, as well as the individual’s past experiences and support systems, significantly influence adaptability.

Substantial life changes, like relocating to a foreign country or switching career paths, typically require a more significant adjustment period for most individuals. However, I’ve observed that people who cultivate a growth mindset and view changes as opportunities rather than threats tend to adapt more readily and successfully.

It’s also worth noting that societal and cultural factors can impact adaptability. Some cultures place a higher premium on flexibility and embracing change, which can foster greater adaptability among their members.

Examiner: How do you think technology has changed the way we live and work?

Candidate (Band 6-7): Technology has had a big impact on our lives and work. We can now communicate instantly with people all over the world and access information easily. In work, many people can now work from home, which gives more flexibility. However, it also means we’re always connected, which can be stressful.

Candidate (Band 8-9): Technology has fundamentally revolutionized our living and working paradigms in myriad ways. In terms of communication, it has drastically reduced barriers, enabling instant, global connectivity. This has facilitated remote work and international collaborations on an unprecedented scale.

In the workplace, technology has augmented human capabilities, automating routine tasks and allowing us to focus on more complex, creative endeavors. The rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning is further reshaping industries, creating new job roles while making others obsolete.

However, this technological pervasiveness has also blurred the lines between work and personal life. While it offers flexibility, it can lead to a culture of constant connectivity, potentially impacting work-life balance and mental health.

Moreover, technology has transformed how we access and consume information, revolutionized healthcare through telemedicine and advanced treatments, and even altered our social interactions and relationships.

While these changes bring numerous benefits, they also present challenges such as digital privacy concerns, the need for continuous upskilling, and the potential exacerbation of social inequalities due to varying levels of access to technology.

Remote work enabled by technology

Key Vocabulary and Phrases for High Scores

To boost your speaking score, incorporate these advanced vocabulary items and phrases:

1. Paradigm shift /ˈpærəˌdaɪm ʃɪft/ (noun): A fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions.
   Example: The move to remote work represented a paradigm shift in how companies operate.

2. Catalyst /ˈkætəlɪst/ (noun): Something that causes an important event to happen.
   Example: The pandemic acted as a catalyst for many businesses to embrace digital transformation.

3. Adapt /əˈdæpt/ (verb): To change or adjust to new conditions.
   Example: Businesses had to adapt quickly to the new market conditions.

4. Resilience /rɪˈzɪliəns/ (noun): The capacity to recover quickly from difficulties.
   Example: Building resilience is crucial when facing significant life changes.

5. Embrace /ɪmˈbreɪs/ (verb): To accept or support willingly and enthusiastically.
   Example: Rather than resisting change, it’s often better to embrace it and look for opportunities.

Describe a recent holiday you went on can also involve discussing changes and new experiences, which relates well to our main topic.

Examiner’s Advice

To excel in describing a change you embraced:

1. Be specific about the change and its impact on your life.
2. Use a range of tenses accurately to describe past events and their continuing effects.
3. Employ varied vocabulary and complex sentence structures.
4. Show reflection on why you embraced the change and what you learned from it.
5. Practice speaking about different types of changes to be prepared for any question.

Remember, the key to a high score is not just what you say, but how you say it. Aim for fluency, coherence, and a natural conversational style while incorporating advanced vocabulary and structures.

Describe a sport you have learned to play is another topic where you can discuss personal changes and growth, which can help you prepare for various speaking scenarios.